About
Contemporary artist Nicholas Kontaxis (b. 1996) creates large-scale abstract paintings, characterized by a riot of primary colors.
Kontaxis’ complex pieces, utilizing heavy body acrylic paints and a battalion of pallet knives on massive canvases, have anchored a slew of successful solo exhibitions, in Los Angeles, London, Atlanta, Chicago, Sun Valley, and Palm Springs. In 2023, he was named to Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 list.
His personal background is also especially distinct. In addition to being neurodiverse, Kontaxis was born with an extensive brain tumor that has resulted in intractable epilepsy.
He is currently preparing for his next solo exhibition in Athens, Greece, at the Goulandris Museum in March 2025.
Solo Exhibitions
2023
I’m Just Like You at UTA Artist Space • New York, NY
2022
Catch Me at UTA Artist Space • Beverly Hills, CA
2021
Desert Jet at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, CA
2020
Reach at Corinthia Hotel • London, England
2019
Nicholas Kontaxis at D Contemporary • Mayfair, London
Come Here at the Anne O Art Gallery • Atlanta, GA
Reach at West Contemporary Gallery • London, England
He Dreams at Adidas Sport House • Coachella, CA
2018
Walk With Me at TAO • Chicago, IL
Sun is Back at The Ritz Carlton Residences • Los Angeles,
Nicholas Kontaxis and Fei Fei at Classical Palm Springs
Nicholas Kontaxis at the La Quinta Museum • La Quinta, CA
That Way, Heather James Fine Art Gallery • Palm Desert, CA
2017
Sun is Shining at the Gilman Contemporary • Sun Valley, ID
Jump at the De Re Gallery • Los Angeles, CA
Group Exhibitions
2022 – 2024
Nicholas Kontaxis at The Private Museum of Virginia Steele Scott
2021
Color of Sound at Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA
1:26 The Art of Epilepsy at Jackson Junge Gallery • Chicago, IL
2019
Nicholas Kontaxis at The Other Art Fair • Brooklyn, NY
Hidden Truths at The Kant Institute • San Francisco, CA
Collections
Works held in private collections in Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Scotland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the United States
The Barrow Neurological Foundation. Corn on the Cob, 2018. Donated by Jane and Malcolm Iazoff
The National Hellenic Museum, Chicago
Awards & Honors
Nicholas Kontaxis, Forbes 30 Under 30 2023: Art & Style
Nicholas Kontaxis, 2018 West Hollywood Disability Award Contribution to the Arts
Special Projects
2023
Scream Button, Scenic design by Nicholas Kontaxis • New York, NY
Publications
American Artwork. Edited by Tom Palmer and Chingchi Yu, 2018 ed., American Artwork Publications, 2018. Featured Artist: Nicholas Kontaxis, pp. 70-71.
American Artwork. Edited by Tom Palmer and Chingchi Yu, 2020 ed., American Artwork Publications, 2020. Cover art by Nicholas Kontaxis, Can I Get a Tractor.
Barrows Neurological Foundation. 2023 ed., “Foundation Art Council Advances Barrow’s Healing Mission.” Barrows Neurological Foundation, 2023, p. 20.
Kontaxis, Nicholas. Catch Me. Edited by Bridgette Baldo and Katie Fleming, United Talent Agency, 2023. Exhibition catalog. Foreword by Arthur Lewis.
Kontaxis, Nicholas. Beach Glass. Edited by Tom Palmer, American Artwork, 2018. Exhibition catalog.
Kontaxis, Nicholas. “I Am Lonely, 2021.” Biological Psychiatry: Genetic Mechanisms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, vol. 94, no. 10, 15 Nov. 2023. Cover image.
“Nicholas Kontaxis.” Curatorial, vol. 3, Capsules, 2020, p. 96.
Price, Pamela. “Nicholas Kontaxis: Energizing Art One Palette Knife at a Time.” Palm Springs Art Patron, vol. X, Jan./Feb. 2018, pp. 40-43.
Notable Commissions
Nicholas Kontaxis. You Did It, 2017. Commissioned by Dean and Susie Spanos, Owners of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nicholas Kontaxis, He Dreams, 2019. Commissioned by Adidas Sport House at Coachella.
Inside the studio of
Nicholas Kontaxis
